HOUGHTON – Communities That Care (CTC) is an organization that seeks to create a better community for the youth of Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, as well to improve their lives in many ways. Recently, CTC conducted a two-day training and organizational session for members of its community board. Ginny Machiela, CTC coordinator said in order for the organization to reach its full potential, it needs youth members, as well as adults.

“We have one youth (member) on the CTC board, but we definitely want more so that they can help us better understand what they’re going through, to better understand how to reach out to other youths,” Machiela said.

Young people interested in joining the group will find ample opportunities to utilize their strengths and their contributions are not only welcome, they are necessary.

“They can join a work group that will best suit whatever their talents are,” Machiela said. “If they are good at math, they can do more of the data stuff. If they’re more into creative, they might want to help us make outreach materials.”

Machiela said that being a CTC youth member also counts as volunteering, and there is very little time commitment involved.

“If they’re looking for volunteer opportunities for whatever reason, this is a good way for them to do that, and it’s not a huge time commitment; again it’s like one to three hours a month.”